Author's Note: Sorry about the length of time since the last update! Remember to review.
Chapter Five: Confrontation
"Going to walk me home, Mr Poelle?" Lainey grinned at Edward as they stepped out into the cold, rainy night. A cruel wind struck her harshly, but she tried to ignore it.
Edward took her arm, smiling. "Of course, dear Lainey. Won't you visit mother and I tonight? She longs to have tea with you, to talk. She grows old, you know."
Lainey sighed and shook her head as they began to walk up the street, now deserted. It was very late. "I cannot, Edward. You ask this of me once a week and I keep telling you, I have to sleep. I work everyday."
Edward released her arm and instead slung his own around her shoulders, drawing her close. "Ask for some time off. Lord knows you deserve it."
"I should," Lainey replied. They reached the end of the street where she lived, a collection of run-down little houses. Lainey rented the ground floor of a three-story house.
They stopped, and Edward smiled down at her. "Mother loves you, you know."
"I love her," Lainey said warmly. The rain was sticking her hair to her forehead. "I owe her so much. I love you as well, Edward." And she hugged him.
"Lainey-"
"I'm sorry," came a different voice from the shadows, one that chilled Lainey. She and Edward both stared as Jack Sparrow stepped into view. "I didn' know wha' else ter do, luv."
"Will you please just leave me alone?" Lainey asked, holding Edward tightly. Fear flooded through her, chilling her to the bones, making her shudder.
"Who are you?" Edward asked Sparrow, looking at him suspiciously.
"Cap'n Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl, but tisn't ye I wan' ter talk with," Jack said politely to Edward. "I'd like ter talk with that there lass."
"Well, I'm afraid that's not possible," Edward said coldly.
Sparrow raised an eyebrow. "Who are ye, anyway, lad?"
"Edward Poelle-"
"Poelle?" Sparrow repeated. "The son of Edwina Poelle?"
Edward was clinging Lainey tightly, defensively. He glared at Sparrow, his hand drifting to the sword at his side. "Yes," he said acidly. "I don't even want to know what it means to you, I suggest you leave."
Jack Sparrow opened his mouth in a cold, wide, golden grin. "Oh, I think yer know."
Edward whipped out his sword in a single, smooth motion, pushing Lainey firmly behind him. Lainey was shaking, terrified, too scared to talk, to scream for help. Sparrow chuckled, then pulled out his own, holding it before him impressively.
"It doesn't need ter come ter this, savvy?" he said. "Jus' let me talk with Carmen-"
"She's not Carmen!" Edward shouted back, his green eyes insane. Then he leapt forward, engaging Sparrow.
Lainey stood with her hands over her mouth, watching as the two men leapt about, swords clashing loudly, quickly. Edward was good, but he was no match for the pirate. Her blonde hair was sticking to her forehead from the rain, and she was soaked through. A tear mingled with the water on her face as she watched. "Stop!" she screamed finally.
The two men both froze, staring at Lainey, one with confused green eyes, the other with suspicious... chocolate brown eyes, outlined with kohl. Her dream man... Jack Sparrow was her dream man. She stared back at him, shocked, confused. Why had Jack Sparrow been in her dreams? She shook her head to clear it.
"Just stop it!" she cried.
Sparrow raised an eyebrow. "I never started it, luv-"
"I'm not your 'luv'," Lainey said stiffly. "But just stop fighting!"
"Fine," Sparrow replied. He put his sword away, then watched calmly as Edward did the same.
Edward brushed his soaking black hair out of his face. "Go away," he said to Sparrow. "I'm taking Lainey home now."
Lainey watched as Sparrow's handsome face softened. He appeared to give in; his shoulders sagged a little, and he turned away. Relief flooded through her, but then-
Sparrow turned around like lightning, his fist colliding hard with the side of Edward's face. Lainey knew she was screaming as Edward crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
"Shame," Sparrow muttered. Then he raised his eyes to Lainey, who took a step back.